Serie A returns from the World Cup break and it is sure to be an emotional evening at the Stadio Olimpico as these Roma vs. Bologna predictions forecast the first game since the death of Siniša Mihajlović.
Roma vs. Bologna odds
1 – Roma to win – 4/7
2 – Under 2.5 goals scored – 4/5
3 – Both teams not to score – 7/10
4 – Roma to win 1-0 – 5/1
5 – Tammy Abraham to score at any time – 11/8
It seems far too long since we had some Serie A football to enjoy but there is a full set of fixtures on Wednesday, with Roma aiming to kick off the new year in the best possible way by picking up three points at home.
Jose Mourinho’s side struggled to keep up with the Champions League teams before the break and had slowed down so much that they have not won in their last three games. Starting off at home should be a major positive for the Giallorossi, however, and a narrow victory could be on the cards.
Most Roma eyes will be on Tammy Abraham on Wednesday though. The English striker has been very disappointing this season, scoring just four goals in all competitions. If he isn’t able to get the year started off with a bang here, he could be set for a prolonged spell on the subs’ bench.
Bologna will no doubt be paying their respects to former coach Mihajlović in the stadium where he performed so well for Lazio in his playing days. But current boss Thiago Motta will be just as keen to keep the good run of results going from before the World Cup break.
Four wins in the last five games have seen the Rossoblu climb into a comfortable mid-table position and another victory here would certainly show that they mean business. Bologna have tended to struggle against the top teams though – and could find Wednesday’s fixture a difficult one.
Although Bologna have scored more goals than almost everyone outside the top six, finding the net against this Roma side – at the Stadio Olimpico – will be a tough task. The year should start off on a good note for Mourinho, as he plots a run to the Champions League places.
How to stream Roma vs. Bologna
Roma vs. Bologna can be live streamed on the bet365 website. Customer account holders need to have funds in their account or have placed a bet in the 24 hours before kick off to access the live action.
Roma vs. Bologna last five matches
Roma last five matches
Bologna last five matches
Roma top goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 12 | |
| 8 | |
| 7 | |
| 4 | |
| 3 |
Bologna top goalscorers
| Player | Total goals |
|---|---|
| 11 | |
| 10 | |
| 7 | |
| 6 | |
| 4 |
Roma vs. Bologna line-ups
Roma (3-4-2-1): Patricio; Mancini, Ibañez, Smalling; Çelik, Matić, Cristante, Zalewski; Pellegrini, Zaniolo; Abraham
Bologna (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Posch, Bonifazi, Lucumí, Lykogiannis; Domínguez, Medel; Orsolini, Ferguson, Soriano; Arnautović
Roma team news
Jose Mourinho should be able to bring club captain Lorenzo Pellegrini back into the starting eleven. But it is up front where the questions still lie. It will be interesting to see whether Tammy Abraham is given more chances to reclaim the form of last year – or if one of the many attacking options on the bench will be given the nod instead.
Bologna team news
Thiago Motta should be able to welcome back Kevin Bonifazi into his back four after recovering from a knee injury and could field a familiar starting XI at the Stadio Olimpico. Riccardo Orsolini might make a return though, as the Rossoblu look to maximise their attacking options and not rely on just the goals of Marko Arnautović.